Common Vegan Myths

Veganism has become extremely popular as of late, and with this new found popularity come a slew of myths. Many people are misinformed about veganism and believe common myths. The following three are the top myths surrounding veganism.

Myth: Vegans Don’t get Enough Protein

This is probably the most common vegan myth out there. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), an adult woman needs 46 grams of protein daily, and an adult man 56, which is the equivalent of slightly more than two-and-a-half 3-ounce servings of meat. But legumes like soy, beans, lentils, peas, and peanuts, are packed with protein, and whole grains contain decent amounts as well. By comparison, one cup of dry beans has 16 grams — or a little less than one-third of what’s recommended each day — and one serving of cooked brown rice has 5 grams. For the first time, the latest USDA dietary guidelines, released earlier this year, have specific recommendations for how to eat a healthy vegan diet, including how to get protein from plants and whole grains.

Myth: Vegans Don’t get Sick

EveryDay Health explains that eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help boost the immunity of vegans and non-vegans like. Largely plant-based diets are also associated with lower risks for serious chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer, but that doesn’t mean vegans are bulletproof. Some vegans believe they’ll never get sick, but the fact is, vegans get cancer and vegans get heart disease. As with any diet, A plant diet is not a 100 percent protection against any disease, but it certainly can reduce your risk.”

Myth: All Vegans are Rich

This is one of the biggest myths surrounding veganism. In reality, it’s easier to eat plant-based on a limited budget than it is to eat a meat-centered diet. Staples like grains, potatoes, bananas, and beans are some of the cheapest (and healthiest) things you can buy in the supermarket. Meat and seafood are often three to four times as expensive as vegan food items.

Myth: Vegans Need to drink dairy milk for calcium

Another myth busted! Leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach have been shown to have much better absorbability than dairy milk, which lags behind these vegetables. Not to mention the fact that fortified plant milk has just as much calcium as dairy milk, while calcium-set tofu is a really rich source.

Now that you are aware of the common myths surrounding veganism, you will be better prepared to provide factual information to people. Not all vegans are rich, they do get sick and they don’t actually need that dairy milk to survive!